Winding machine



Feb. 19, 1946. E. J. ABBOTT ETAL 9 WINDING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1944 I 8 Sheets-Shet 1 I Nw k Wm 12 a Feb. 19, 1946. E. J. ABBOTT ETAL WINDING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 11, 1944 erzoar;

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WINDING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1944 8-.Sheets-Sheet 3 Zia/awn;

M W401 fiery Feb. 19, 1946. E. J. ABBOTT ET AL WINDING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 19; 1946. E. J. ABBOTTHAL 2,395,028

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WINDING MACHINE Filed March 171, 1944 a Sheets-Sheet'B 14 a Jaiepb Patented Feb. 19, 1946 wnvnmc MACHINE Edward J. Abbott, Winthrop L. Perry, and Joseph E. Ring, Wilton, N. H., assignors to Abbott Machine Company, Wilton, N. IL, a corporation of New Hampshire Application March 11, 1944, Serial No. 526,016

41 Claims.

This invention relates to machines which wind yarn and the like, and is particularly applicable to machines in which the winding units are supplied with bobbins by automatic mechanism. The invention is also particularly applicable to winding machines in which parts of the machine are conveyed in a circulatory path about the machine and other parts of the machine do not so circulate around the machine, there being thus a relative movement between the parts that circulate and the parts that do not circulate. The invention is shown by way of example as applied to a multiple unit winding machine in which the several winding units are conveyed in a procession past a relatively non-traveling bobbin-supplying mechanism, as for example, a winding machine such as described in the ap-' plication of Edward J. Abbott and Winthrop L. Perry, for Winding machine, Serial No. 386,136, filed March 31, 1941, now Patent No. 2,377,367, dated June 5, 1945.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide improved mechanism for stopping the relative movement between the circulating parts and the non-circulating parts such for example as the winding units and the bobbin-supplying mechanism; to provide such stop mechanism that will operate quickly with the minimum of continued relative movement after actuation of the stop mechanism; and to providesuch stop mechanism that will be efiective upon a variety of accidental occurrences that might tend .to jam or break parts of the machine.

Further objects of the invention are toprovide improved bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to deliver bobbins to the several winding units in a more reliable manner; to provide for holding a reserve bobbin in such place and in such manner that it can be most expeditiously delivered to the winding unit and to insure that the successive bobbins delivered to the successive winding units will reach their intended positions in the winding units at uniform time intervals;

and to provide for holding a further. or second reserve bobbin in position to be delivered to the final or first reserve position. Further objects are to detect the presence of any accidentally misplaced bobbin in the bobbin-supplying mechanism; to detect the lack of a supply of bobbins; and to stop the winding'and to prevent further discharge of bobbins from their winding positions in the several winding units upon either of these occurrences.

A further object is to anticipate the eventual absence ofa bobbin in the first reserve position by detecting the presence or absence of the bobbin in the second reserve position which is next to pass the first reserve position, and to stop the winding and to prevent further discharge of the bobbins from their winding positions in the several. units before there can be any failure of a winding unit to receive a bobbin from the first reserve position.

Further objects of the invention and, features of advantage will be apparent from this specification and drawings wherein the invention is illustrated by way of example.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse'sectional view through the upper part of the track of a traveling spindle winding machine such as shown in the aforesaid application Serial No. 386,136, showing the upper portion of the winding unit, the upper rail of the track, and the lower portion of the bobbin-supplying mechanism which is being approached by the windingunit;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of a portion of the machine, showing two of the winding units, portions of the frame, a portion of the chain for pulling the winding units around the machine, and the sprocket wheel which drives the chain;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view looking from inside of the frame of the machine outwardly, that is, from left to right in Fig. 1, showing the upper rail of the track, a fragment of the chain for pulling the winding units around the ma chine, the upper portion of awinding unit, and

a portion of the stop mechanism of the machine with portions of the winding unit omitted;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4- -5 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electric motor for furnishing the power to operate the sprocket wheel which 'drives the chain which pulls the winding units, the cross shaft driven by the motor and brake mechanism for quickly stopping the movement of thesprocket wheel and chain;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing suitable gearing connecting the motor-driven cross shaft and the chain-driving sprocket wheel; I

Fig. 6 is awiring diagram of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1 but omitting many parts ofthe winding unit and showing particularly the bobbin-supplying mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view on the line Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 8 but with numerous parts omitted to expose the detector finger that feels for a bobbin in the second reserve position, this view showing the posi tion of the parts when there is an absence of a bobbin in the second reserve position, the position of a bobbin in the second reserve position being shown in broken lines;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of mechanism; and

Fig. 12 is a right side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings, the winding units, frame, and automatic mechanism for tending the several winding units may for example be such as described in the above application Serial No. 386,136. Thus the several winding units (of which two are shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 preferably travel around a suitable guideway,

of which the upper rail II is shown, the guideway defining opposite straight and semi-circular runs as in said application and the patent to Abbott, No. 2,160,810. The units are preferably conveyed around the guideway by conveyin mechanism which includes an endless chain I4 running on sprocket wheels I3 (of which one is shown in Fig. 5

The winding units which are shown as ambodying the construction described in said application, may be of any desired construction adapted to wind yarn into packages upon bobbins that are automatically fed to and discharged from the several units. Thus the winding unit shown in Fig. 1 includes a hollow driving head 60 (shown in dotted lines) driven by an electric motor 63,

and adapted to receive th base of the winding bobbin, a reciprocating traverse assembly indicated generally by the reference character I44, and a hollow outer bobbin-holding center I00. The outer center I00 is mounted on a plunger I00 adapted to be retracted by a bell crank I00 Fig. 1 shows th winding unit at a position where disposed diagonally across the path of travel of the units and adapted to react on a roller I65 on thethread'guide assembly to force the thread guide assembly to the left preparatory to the reception of a new empty bobbin between the centers 60 and I00 of the unit. A stationary plate-like cam element 502 is adapted to engage the run of yarn which extends from the thread guide to the discharged bobbin and force this yarn over to the left in Fig. 1, toward the'inner center 60 of the winding unit.

The bobbin-supplying mechanism of Fig. 7 (which the unit of Fig. 1 is about to reach), embodies certain features of the form of bobbinsupplying mechanism of Figs. 13, 14 and 15 of said application. More particularly, the bobbin supplying mechanism includes a bobbin magazine' of which a fragment is indicated at 290 adapted to deliver bobbins to an inclined slide in the form of spaced parallel bars 400down which the bobbins slide, hanging by their enlarged ends. From the parallel bars 400, a bobbin is received between parallel plates 409 having inclined upper edges, and slides down these inclined upper edges until detained in a horizontal position by fingers M2, M3 in position to be engaged between the opposed centers 60 and W0 of a passing winding unit.

The centers 60 and I00 of a passing winding unit grasp the new bobbin and withdraw it from the fingers 4I3, winding of the new bobbin begins, and a further new bobbin is. fed to the fingers 4I2,4I3.

As shown in Fig. 8, the fingers M2, M2 are mounted on a horizontal shaft 4I6 having a down-turned crank extension Alfi and the fingers M3, 3 are mounted on a horizontal shaft 4" having a down-turned crank extension 411. The two crank portions 4I6 and 4H engage in recesses in a connecting link M8 to which is connected a down-turned crank portion 4I9 of a horizontal shaft 4 I 9. At the opposite end of shaft 4I9 it carries a finger 4I9 adapted to be lifted by the upper surface of the cam cover plate 90 of the passing winding unit, thus turning the shaft 4I9, shifting the link M8 to the right in having a reciprocating movement of short length coupled with a. progressive advance from the base end of the bobbin to the tip end thereof so as to distribute the yarn on the bobbin in the form of nested conical layers. Each individual winding unit is shown as provided with a rod 461 spring-pressed toward the left in Fig. 1 and adapted when tripped to the right to actuate winding-stopping mechanism on that winding unit. A collar 493 fastened on the trip rod 461 is adapted to be engaged by a stationary cam 500 to trip the rod 461 and stop the Winding on the unit if windinghas not already been stopped by the time the unit reaches the cam 500. In Fig. 1, the winding unit is shown as having passed the cam 500. For carrying the thread guide assembly to the inner center after the completion and 'domng of a bobbin, there is provided a stationary cam 413 in the form of an'angle piece Fig. 8 and turning th shafts M6 and 4H and the fingers M2, M3 in a counterclockwise direction to cause the fingers to open and discharge the bobbin to the winding unit which has grasped the bobbin in its centers 60, I00. A spring 4H! restores the lingers to their normal position of Fig. 8 as soon as the cover plate of the winding unit has passed out from under the finger M9".

The invention is particularly concerned with preventing injury to any of the winding units or to the bobbin-supplying mechanism in case of failure of any of the bobbins to move to and from the winding units at the proper time and in the proper position. Defective bobbins may be encountered, extraneous threads may be present or some part of the apparatus or one or more bobbins in the apparatus may become stuck, with a consequent tendency to force some part of the traveling winding unit against some unyielding object, such as a misplaced bobbin, with consequent tendency to break. or injure the bobbinsupplying mechanism or the traveling unit which is involved. This danger is averted by this invention which provides for quickly stopping the relative movement between the winding units and the bobbin-supplying mechanism when there is any tendency to jam or break'any part of the machine. a v

' trio motors of the winding units.

A yieldable connection is provided for permitting momentary continued movement of at least a portion of the conveying means when movement of a circulatory part of the machine is abnormally resisted by a non-circulatory part of the machine, and means actuable in response to yielding of such connection is provided to stop the conveying means, preferably also applying a brake thereto and de-energizing both the electric motor drive for the conveying means and the individual elec- Such yieldable connection is interposed in the conveying mechanism in the preferred form of mechanism illustrated. Thus, in Figs. 2 and 3 the conveyor chain I4 is shownas connected by extensible links to the several winding units. Such link may for example comprise a part l5 pivoted to 9. lug ll" on a link of the chain It, a part is pivoted at I! to the part l5 and pivoted at is to the frame of the traveling unit, and a tension spring I! reacting on the chain and on the traveling unit to oppose but yieldingly permit retarding of the winding unit with respect to the chain. In the normal operation of the machine, the extensible link occupies the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When an abnormal force is exerted on the winding unit tending to retard it with respect to the drum 45 adapted to be frictionally braked by a brake band 47. A brake lever 48 to which is attached a tension spring 49 tends to apply the brake to the drum, but is normall held in inactive position by a solenoid 50 which is actuated during driving of the motor 40. When the motor I0 is de-energiz'ed the solenoid 50 is also de-energized and'the tension spring 49 instantly becomes Y effective to apply the brake to the brake drum chain, the extensible link lengthens, permitting momentary continued movement of the chain, the part it pivoting about the pivot point l8. By way of example of mechanism for stopping the relative movement, there is shown a form of stop mechanism particularly adapted for use in machines where the possible interference with a traveling unit may be expected to occur at only one zone in the path of travel around the ma-, chine. It will be apparent that, especially if it is desired to guard against jams or interferences occurring anywhere in the path of the units, stop mechanism may be provided to respond to an elongation of an extensible link occurring at other places in the path of travel of the units around the machine.

As illustrated herein, the part l6 of the link carries a verticalpin 20 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4), and along the path of travel of the winding unit passing the bobbin-changing mechanism there is provided a blade 25, Figs. 2, 3 and 4, attached to and supported by a rod 26 which is pivotally mounted at its ends in brackets 27 on the upper rail II. This blade 25 is normally inclined toward the path of travel of the downwardly projecting pins 20 of the extensible links of the traveling units as shown in Fig. 4. Upon extension of one of these links and consequent movement of its pin 20 to the right in Fig. 4, the blade 25 is rotated about its pivot points. The rod 26 which carries the blade 25 also carries a mercury switch 30, Fig. 1, which is closed in the normal position of the blade 25. Swinging of the blade 25 by a pin 20 of a passing winding unit thus turns the switch 30 to an open position, operating suitable stop mechanism to stop the traveling movement of the winding units.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 5 the driving sprocket l3 for the chain it is driven through suitable gearing from a cross shaft 36, the cross shaft in turn being driven through a pulley 31, belt 38, pulley 39 and electric motor 40.

Fig. 5 shows by way of example suitable gearing for connecting the cross shaft 38 and the sprocket 13, such gearing comprising a worm 36 a worm wheel 36*, shaft 36, pinion 36 and internal teeth 36' on the sprocket I 3.

On the cross shaft 36 there is provided a brake' and stop the movement of the sprocket l3 and chain It. Referring to the wiring diagram of Fig. 6, three phase current is supplied to the machine by main conductors 10 through a main switch II and a magnetically closed switch 12, the magnet 13 for closing the switch 12 being controlled by a push button stopping and starting switch 14 in conventional manner. The mercury switch 3t, adapted to be opened by the extensible links of the traveling units, is interposed in the starting switch circuit which includes the magnet 13. Thus opening the mercury switch 30 de-energizes the magnet 13 in the same manner as-pressing the stop button of the starting switch, allowing the main magnetic switch 12 to open. As will be seen from the wiring diagram, when the switch 12 is thus opened, the chain-driving motor 40 and solenoid are both de-energized, thus stopping the chain of the machine instantly. Likewise the transformer 80 that furnishes current of reduced voltage to the rails 8| for driving the individual motors of the winding units is also de-energized.

In operation, whenever any one of the winding units passing the winding-unit tending mechanism is subjected to an unusual retarding action, for example by a bobbin becoming misplaced or one of the parts of the unit becoming stuck and unduly resisting itsusual movement by any of the stationary cams of the tending mechanism. the extensible link which connects the unit to the chain It lengthens. The pin 20 then swings the blade 25 to open the mercury switch 30, and

the electric circuit of the machine is de-energized, the progress of the chain being instantly arrested by the spring-actuated brake mechanism. When the condition which brought about this stoppage is corrected and the extensible link of the unit again shortens to its normal length, the mercury switch 30 closes and the machine can be energizecl by pressing the starting button of the starting switch '14.

The machine also includes an improvement in,

I for use of the stop mechanism to de-energize the machine in case of any failure of the bobbins to pass through the bobbin-supplying mechanism in the intended manner.

The bobbin-supplying mechanism shown in Fig.- '7 includes a pair of fingers 4M and 402 mounted on a shaft 403 and adapted to be oscillated by a crank 404 and lifter rod'4t5 to release the endmost one of the row of bobbins lying in between the rails 400 at the position A in Fig. 7. It will be understood that the bobbin magazine 290 supplies bobbins to the. rails 400 in suflicient quantity normally to keep the space between finger 802 and the bobbin magazine full or nearly full of bobbins, although for simplicity of illustration only the bobbin at finger 402 and the bobbin just leaving the magazine 290 are shown in this space.

The lower end of the lifter rod 405 is connected to a bell crank 40B of which one arm lies in the path of an upwardly projecting pin 40! on the cam cover plate of each of the traveling winding units so that as each winding unit reaches the bell crank 406 the above-described linkage is actuated to release a bobbin.

The fingers 401 and 402 are shaped a d disposed on their actuating shaft 403 differently than in the machine of the above application Serial No. 386,136. As shown in Figs. '7 and 9, which show the lifter rod 405 and associated mechanism in its normal position before it is actuated by a traveling unit, the finger 402 is shaped and positioned to block the progress of bobbins on the rails 400, while the finger 40! is shaped and positioned to be clear of the path of bobbins on the rails 400. Thus the stack of bobbins on the rails 400 is normally supported by the finger 402 as shown in Fig. 7. Lifting of the lifter rod 405 by the passing winding unit removes the finger 402 from the path of the bobbins, allowing a bobbin to descend to and be detained by the finger 40| which is simultaneously moved into the path of the bobbins. In the return movement of the lifter rod and shaft 403, the finger 40l releases the bobbin it has temporarily detained, and the finger 402 simultaneously returns into position to support the following bobbins, one of which is shown so supported in Fig. '1.

Moreover, in the present machine, instead o allowing a bobbin to pass without interruption from the finger 40 to the holding fingers M2, M3, the bobbin is detained-at the lower end of the rails 400 by a further finger 408 which is mounted on and actuated by the shaft 403. As shown in Figs. 7 and 9 this further finger 408 is so shaped and positioned on the rod 403 as to block the passage of a bobbin on the rails 400 when the lifter rod 405 is not lifted to its elevated position, thus holding a bobbin in the position indicated at B in Fig. 7.

After one winding unit removes a bobbin from the holding fingers 4|2, M3, the next following 403 to release the bobbin from the position B, allowing it to pass down; guided by the plates 409, 409 to the holding fingers M2, 3. Return movement of the lifter rod 405 and shaft 403 permits another bobbin to pass down the rails 400 to position B at the finger 408. This position B may be referred to as the first reserve position, while the position A of a bobbin retained by the finger 402 may be referred to as the second reserve position.

The space between these two reserve positions is utilized not only to keep the bobbins separate but also to provide a space for a detector adapted to feel for any bobbin that may have become misplaced or stuck in passing between these positions. As shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 a detector element 50! in the form of a U-shaped loop of wire fastened to the rod 403 is located in the space between the finger 40land the place occupied by a bobbin at the position B, and by sweeping across this space will strike any bobbin which has become misplaced on the rails 400.. Thus if by any misplacement of the bobbin approaching position B the bobbin doesnot extend down vertically between the rails 400 as intended, it will be struck by the detector element SM and movement of the rod 403, crank 404, lifter rod 405 and bell crank 406 thus blocked The downwardly extending arm of the bell crank 406 then detains 7 when the pin 401 of a winding unit engages the bell crank 406. When the pin 40'! of the winding unit has passed the downwardly extending arm of the bell crank 406 the lifter rod 405 drops. In-

stead of allowing the lifter rod to drop to the same position each time, provision is made for checking the downward motion of the lifter rod at one position when there is a bobbin in between the rails 400 in advance of finger 402, and

10 allowing the lifter rod to drop to an abnormally low position when any failure in the supply of bobbins is so imminent that no bobbin is present atfinger 402. In this abnormally low position of the lifter rod 405 as shown in Fig. 10 a lug 420 at the lower end of the lifter rod drops into position in front of the pin 40! of the passing winding unit and detains, the pin and winding unit actuating the stop mechanism as above described to stop the chain and de-energize the machine.

Normally the lifter rod is prevented from drop ping to the abnormally low position shown in Fig.

10 by a feeler 422 engaging the head of the bobbin just in advance of the finger 402 on the return or downward stroke'of the lifter rod 405.

If a bobbin is present in this position the downward movement of the lifter rod is checked at the position shown in Fig. 8 where the lug 420 will clear the passing pin 401. However, if a bobbin has failed to reach the position at which the The feeler 422 is secured to the rod 403 by a bracket 423 clamped onto the rod 403 and carrying a pin 425 (Figs. 7 and 10) In the absence of a bobbin at the feeler 422. the downward movement of the lifter rod 405 is finally checked by engagement of the pin 425 with the top of a stationary yoke 426 as shown by Fig. 10, allowing the lug 420 to occupy the position shown in Fig. 10.

It will now be seen that the invention prevents the winding units from discharging their bobbins in case there is any failure or imminent by action of the cam 590 is stopped. Thus if the supply of new bobbins fails, or is about to fail, the winding units cannot discharge their old bobbins from winding position until this condition is corrected, and thus cannot lose the end of yarn that should be clamped to the next new bobbin. Although the mechanism described above is preferred, certain advantages can be secured by the mechanism now to be described. In the mechanism of Figs. 11 and 12, the yieldable connections between the winding units and the conveyor chain l4 can be omitted and replaced by non-yieldable connections such as ordinary links. In Figs. 11 and 12 the automatic mechanism for tending the several winding units is provided with a yieldable connection to the frame of the machine, so that in case the tending mechanism offers, either directly or through a misplaced bobbin, an abnormal resistance to travel of the wind ing units, the tending mechanism can yield and move slightly in the direction of travel of the winding units. The yielding of such connection and the slight shift of the tending mechanism are employed to actuate stop mechanism to stop the conveying means.

Referring to Fig. 11 a plate 000 is held by and is longitudinally slidable on a pin 60l which is carried by a rod 602 connected to a suitable part of the stationary frame of themachine. Another plate 805 is held by and is longitudinally slidable on pins506 (Figs. 11 and 12) which are held by an angle piece 601 constituting part of the stationary frame.

The two longitudinally slidable plates 600 and 605 constitute the support for the various portions of the automatic tending mechanism which are encountered by the passing winding units. Thus the bobbin delivering plates 409, 409 are secured at one end to the longitudinally slidable plate 605 and are connected by brackets 6l0 to the longitudinally slidable plate 600. As in the construction shown in Fig. 8 bobbin-supporting fingers H2, H3 are supported from. the bobbin-deliveringplates 409, 409, and hence in this construction of Figs. 11 and 12 are in turn supported by the slidable plates 600 and 605. The angle piece 413 that acts as a cam to shift the thread guides of the several units to'the left, is connected at its opposite ends to the two plates 605 and 600. The lifter-rod crank 406 is connected to the angle piece 413 and hence to the plates 605 and 600. The cam 500 for tripping the trip rod 461 of the winding units to stop winding, and the cam element 502 which acts on the run of yarn extending from the thread guide to the discharged bobbin, are both suspended from the right-hand plate 605. Likewise the angle piece 590, which acts as a cam to open the centers of the passing winding units, is suspended from the plate 605.

An electric switch 30' two contact elements H2 and M3 adapted to be opened, is contained in a casing M5 which may conveniently be mounted on the angle piece 601 of the frame. Contact.v element 612 is mounted upon the casing H5; and hence remains stationary. Contact piece lilijs-carried by a p which is carried by th e longitudinally slidable plate 505. A tensionspring 620 connected to the stationary frame and-.to, the slidable plate 605 normally retains theplate 605, the plate 600, and the parts carried by these plates in the position shown in Fig. 12, in which the swtich is closed. The plate 605 and spring 620 thus constitute a yield'able or extensible connection between the winding tending mechanism and the stationary frame of themachine. The movable contact piece (N3 of switch 30' may have a slight freedom of movement with respect to the. pin 658 and be normally seated against the stationary contact piece (2 by a spring 62!. A shift of the plate 605 to the right in Fig. 12 opens the switch 30 v V I,

The switch 30 is connected in the circuit shown in Fig. 6 in place of the mercury switch 39, and when opened, is adapted to stop the traveling movement of the winding units, apply the brake to the brake drum 45, and d e-energize the machine in the same manner as opening of the switch 30.

consisting essentially of the travel of the winding units is quickly stopped. and the machine is de-energized.

Likewise, when there is any misplacement of a bobbin in the bobbin-supplying mechanism and the lifter-rod bell crank 40B is blocked against turning when engaged by a traveling winding unit and also when there is an imminentfailure of bobbins at the finger 402 of the bobbin-supplying mechanism and the lug 420 drops into position to engage the pin 40'! of the passing unit as in Fig. 10, therelative movement between the units and the winding unit tending mechanism is interfered with, and the plates 600 and 605 and their associated parts are shifted by the motion of the winding unit, with the same result of opening switch 30' stopping the travel, and de-energizing the machine.

We claim 2 1. In a winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units, bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to deliver bobbins to the several winding units, and conveying means for causing relative movement between the winding units and the bobbin-supplying mechanism to associate the latter with the several winding units, the combination of a yielding connection in said conveying means adapted to yield upon the occurrence of a force abnormally retarding such relative movement, and stopmechanism for the conveying means actuated in response to said yielding of said yieldable connection.

2. In a winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units, bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to deliver bobbins to the several winding units, and conveying means for moving the winding units in a procession past the bobbin-. supplying mechanism, the combination of a yielding connection in said conveying means adapted to yield upon the occurrence of a force abnormally retarding a winding unit, and stop mechanism for the conveying means actuated in response to said yielding of said yieldable connection.

3. In a winding machine having therein a plurality of winding'units, bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to deliver bobbins to the several winding units, and conveying means for moving the winding units in a procession past the'bobbin-supplying mechanism,' the combination of yieldable connections in said conveying means adapted to transmit pull to the respective winding units, each said yieldable connection being adapted to yield upon the occurrence of a force abnormally retarding its respective winding unit, and stop mechanism for the conveying means actuable in responseto said yieldingfof such yieldable connection. p

4. In a windingmachine having therein a plurality of winding units, bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to deliver bobbins to the several winding. units, and atraveling flexible traction element for pulling'the winding units in a procession past the bobbin-supplying mechanism,

= the combination of extensible connections con- Thus when a winding unit passing through the D ing unit and any of the parts of the winding tending mechanism, the winding tending mechanism is shifted to the right in Fig. 12 by the motion of the winding unit, the switch 30' opens,

necting the several units to the traction element, and stop mechanism for the flexible traction element actuable in response to abnormal extension of the extensible connection between a winding unit and the traction element when such unit is abnormally retarded.

5. In a traveling unit winding machine having ing a flexible traction element and a plurality of winding units pulled thereby, the combination therewith of a spring interposed between a winding unit and the traction element and adapted to traction element. stop mechanism for the traction element including a movable member located along the path of travel of the units, and means on the said unit for operating the movable element of the stop mechanism uponsuch retarding of the said unit relatively to the traction element.

6. In a traveling unit winding machine having a flexible traction element anda plurality of winding units pulled thereby, the combination therewith of a spring interposed between a unit and the traction element and adapted to withstand 2,895,028 permit said. unit to be retarded relatively to the for the traction element including an electric the force of conveyance of. the said unit, linkage connected to the said unit and to the traction element, said linkage permitting the unit to be retarded relatively to the traction element, a portion movable by said linkage when the unit is so retarded, andstop mechanism for the traction element including a member located along the path of travel of the units and operated by said movable portion.

7. In a traveling unit winding machine having a flexible traction element and a plurality of winding units pulled thereby, the combination therewith of a spring interposed between a unit and the traction element and adapted to permit said unit to be retarded relatively to the traction element, stop mechanism for the traction element including a movable member located along the path or travel of the units, and an actuating member traveling with the unit and laterally movable when the unit is retarded relatively to the traction element, thereby to actuate the movable member 01' said stop mechanism.

8. In atraveling unit winding machine having a flexible traction element, driving connections for the traction element including an electric motor, and a plurality of winding units adapted to be moved in a procession by the flexible traction element, the combination of extensible connections connecting the several winding units to the flexible traction element, an electric switch adapted to'stop said motor, and means, actuated by abnormal extension of an extensible connection between a winding unit and the traction element, for operating the switch to stop the motor.

9. In a traveling unit winding machine-having a flexible traction element, driving connections for the traction element including an electric motor, and a plurality of winding units adapted to be moved in a procession by the flexible traction element, the combination of extensible connections connecting the several winding units to the flexieble traction element, an electric switch adapted to stop said motor. a switch-actuating member disposed along the path of travel of the units, and means for movingsaid switch-actuating member upon abnormal extension of the extensible connection between a unit and said traction element.

10. A multiple unit winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units, means for conveying said wind-ing units in a procession, winding-unit tending mechanism past which the winding units are adapted to move, said windingunit tending mechanism being yieldably shiftable in the event of interference between said windmotor, and a plurality of winding units adapted to be moved in a procession by the flexible traction element,the combination of extensible connections connecting the several winding units to the flexible traction element, means for braking the movement of the traction element, and means for controlling the braking means so as to render the braking means operative upon the occurrence of abnormal extension of the extensible connection between a unit and said traction element.

13. In a traveling unit winding machine having a flexible traction element, driving connections for the traction element including an electric motor, and a plurality of winding units adapted to be moved in a procession by the flexible traction element, the combination of extensible connections connecting the several winding units to the flexible traction element, means for braking the movement of the traction element, electromagnetic means for retaining the braking means inoperative, a switch for control ling the electromagnetic means, and means operative upon the occurrence of abnormal extension of the extensible connection between a unit andsaid traction element to actuate the switch to allow the braking means to act.

14. In a winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units, a winding-unit tending mechanism adapted to deliver bobbins to the several winding units, and conveying means for causing relative movement between the winding units and the winding-unit tending mechanism to associate the latter with the several winding units, the combination of stop mechanism for the conveying means responsive to abnormal diminution in the relative movement between a winding unit and the winding-unit tending mechanism, and means for initiating the stopping comprising a member movable to a position to interfere with said relative movement, and a bobbin-controlled detector for controlling such movement of said member.

15. In a traveling unit winding machine having a flexible traction element, and a plurality of winding units adapted to be moved in a procession by the flexible traction element, the combination of extensible connections connecting the units and the flexible traction element, means for stopping the flexible traction element upon abnormal extension of an extensible connection between a unit and the traction element, and .means for initiating the stopping comprising a member movable into the path of a winding unit to retard it relatively to the traction element.

' 16. In a traveling unit winding machine, a

plurality of winding units, means for conveying said'winding units in a procession, a windingunit tending mechanism past which the winding units are adapted to move, the winding-unit tending mechanism being yieldably shiftable, means for stopping said conveying means upon such shift of the winding-unit tend-ing mechanism, and means for initiating the stopping comprising a member associated with the windingunit tending mechanism, movable into the path of a winding unit to cause the winding unit to shift the winding-unit tending mechanism.

1'7. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin-supplying mechanism, a plurality of winding units, and means for conveying the winding units past the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the combination of stop mechanism for the conveying means responsive to an abnormal retardation of a winding unit, a detector responsive to an abnormal condition in the bobbinsupplying mechanism, and means controlled by the detector for detaining a traveling unit and thereby actuating the stopping mechanism.

18. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin supplying mechanism, a plurality of winding units, and means for conveying the winding units past the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the combination of stop mechanism for the conveying means, a detector responsive to an abnormal condition in the bobbin-supplying mechanism, a member controlled by'the detector and adapted to be interposed in the path of a winding unit upon the detection of an abnormal condition in the bobbin-supplying mechanism, and connections whereby said member, when moved by a winding unit, actuates said stop mechanism. a

19. In a winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units,' bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to deliver bobbins to the several winding units, and conveying means for causing relative movement between the winding units and the bobbin-supplying mechanism to associate the latter with the several winding units, the combination of stop mechanism arranged to stop said conveying means, said stop mechanism being responsive to abnormal diminution in the relative movement between a winding unit and the bobbin-supplying,mechanism, and means for initiating the stopping comprising a member movable to a position to interfere with said relative movement, and a bobbin-responsive detector for controlling such movement of said member. v

20. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin-supplying mechanism, a flexible traction element, and a plurality of winding units adapted to be conveyed past the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the combination of extensible connections connecting the units and the flexible traction element, a detector responsive to an abnormal condition in the bobbin-supplying mechanism, means controlled by the detector for detaining a traveling unit, and means, respon sive to the extension of the extensible connection between the detained unit and the traction element, for stopping the traction element.

21. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin-supplying mechanism, a flexible traction element, a plurality of winding units adapted to be conveyed past the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the combination of extensible connections connecting the units and the flexible traction element, a detector responsive to a misplaced bobbin in the bobbin-supplying mechanism, means controlled by the detector for detaining a traveling unit, and means responsive to the extension of the extensible connection between the detained unit and the traction element, for stopping the traction element.

22. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin-supplying mechanism, a flexible traction element, a plurality of winding units adapted to be conveyed past the bobbin-supplying mecharality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the units in succession, means for causing a relative movement between the winding units and the bobbinsupplying mechanism, mechanism including a portion traversed by the bobbins one at a time in the course of being supplied tothe winding units, a detector responsive to failure of a bobbin to complete its passage through said portion of g the bobbin-supplying mechanism, and means responsive to detection of such bobbin by the detector for stopping the relative movement between the winding units and bobbin-supplying mechanism.

24. A winding machine having therein a pinrality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the units in succession, means for causing a relative movement between the winding units and the bobbinsupplying mechanism, the bobbin-supplying mechanism including a slideway for the bobbins, means for admitting bobbins one at a time to a portion of the slideway, means for discharging bobbins from said portion of the slideway, a detector responsive to a bobbin which has failed to slide through said portion of the slideway to said discharging means, and means responsive to detection of the bobbin by the detector for stopping the relative movement between the winding units and bobbin-supplying mechanism.

25. A winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the units in succession, means for causing a relative movement between the winding units and the bobbinsupplying mechanism, the bobbin-supplying mechanism including a slideway for the bobbins, means for admitting bobbins one at a time to a portion of the slideway, means for discharging bobbins from said portion of the slideway, a detector element movable across the path of bobbins in said portion of the slideway so as to encounter a bobbin therein which has failed to slide to said discharging means, and means responsive to detection of the bobbin by the detector for stopping the relative movement between the winding units' and bobbin-supplying mechanism.

I 26. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin-supplying mechanism, a plurality of winding units and means for conveying the units past the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the combination of a slideway for bobbins in the bobbinsupplying mechanism, means for admitting bobbins one at a time to a, portion of the slideway, means for discharging bobbins from said portion of the slideway, a detector element movable across the path of bobbins in said slideway so as to encounter a bobbin therein which has failed to slide to said discharging means, means responsive to detection of a bobbin by the detector, for

the bobbin-supplying said portion of the slideway, a detector element movable across the path of bobbins in said slideway so as to encounter and be blocked by any bobbin therein which has failed to slide to the 7 exit thereof, mechanism movable by the traveling winding units for actuating the detector element, whereby-when movement of the detector element is blocked by a bobbin in the slideway a winding unit is detained against travel, and stop mechanism for the conveying means actuated by such detention of a traveling unit.

28. A winding machine having therein a pinrality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the units in succession, means for causing a relative movement between the winding units and the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the bobbin-supplying mechanism i ncluding a portion adapted to hold bobbins in a reserve position separated from the bobbin next to be supplied to a winding unit, a detector responsive to absence of bobbins in said reserve position, and means responsive to detection of absence of bobbins by the detector for stopping the relative movement between the winding units and bobbin-supplying mechanism.

29. A winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the units in succession, means for causing a relative movement between the winding units and the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the bobbin-supplying mechanism including a slideway for the bobbins, means for delivering bobbins to the slideway, means for admitting the bobbins one a at a time to a subsequent portion oi. the slideway, a detector responsive to absence of bobbins in advance of said admitting means, and means responsive to detection of absence of bobbins by the detector for stopping the relative movement between the winding units and bobbin-supplying mechanism.

30. A winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the units in succession, means for causing a relative movement between the winding units and the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the bobbin-suppl ing mechanism including means for holding a bobbin at a second reserve position, means for subsequently holding the same bobbin at a first reserve position farther, along toward the position where bobbins are supplied to the winding units, a detector responsive to absence of bobbins in said second reserve position, and means responsive to detection of absence of bobbins by the detector for stopping the relative movement between the winding units and bobbin-supplying mechanism.

31. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin-supplying mechanism, a pluralit of winding units and means for conveying the units past the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the combination of a slideway ior bobbins in the bobbin-supplying mechanism, means for admitting bobbins one at a time to a portion of the asoaose slideway, a detector element adapted to move into the path of the bobbins in advance oi said admitting means in the absence of a bobbin thereat, means, responsive to detection of absence of a bobbin by the detector, for detaining a traveling winding unit relatively to its conveying means, and stop mechanism for the conveying fiiglans actuated by such detention of a travelint 32. In a traveling unit winding machine having a bobbin-supplying mechanism, a plurality of winding units and means for conveying the units past the bobbin-supplying mechanism, the combination of a slideway for bobbins in the bobbinsupplying mechanism, means for admitting bobbins one at a time to a portion of the slideway, a detector element adapted to move into the path of the bobbins in advance of said admitting means in the absence 01' a bobbin thereat, a member controlled b said detector. element and movable into the path of a portion of a traveling winding unit as the detector element moves into said path of the bobbins, thereby to detain a winding unit against travel, and stop mechanism for the conveying means actuated by such detention of atraveling unit.

33. A winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to suppl bobbins to the several winding units, to be wound thereon, the bobbin-supplying mechanism including a portion traversed by the bobbins one at a time in the course of being supplied to the winding units, a detector responsive to failure of a bobbin to complete its passage through said portion of the bobbin-supplying mechanism, and means responsive to detection of such bobbin by the detector for stopping the winding by the several winding units.

34. A winding machine having therein a pluralit of winding-units each including means for winding a bobbin, a plurality of electric motors arranged to furnish the power for winding, a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the several winding units, to be wound thereon, the bobbin-supplying mechanism including a portion traversed by the bobbins one at a time in the course of being supplied to the winding units, a detector responsive to failure of a bobbin to complete its passage through said portion of the bobbin-supplying mechanism, and means responsive to detection of such bobbin by I the detector for de-energizing the electric motors to stop the winding.

35. A winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units and a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the several winding units to be wound thereon, the bobbin-supplying mechanism including a portion adapted to hold bobbins in a reserve position separated from the bobbin next to be supplied to a winding unit, a detector responsive to absence of bobbins in said reserve position, and means responsive to detection of such absence of bobbins by the detector for stopping the winding by the several winding units.

36. A winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units each including means for winding a bobbin, a plurality of electric motors arranged to iumish the power for winding, a bobbin-supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the several winding units to be wound thereon, the bobbin-supplying mechanism including a portion adapted to hold bobbins in a reserve position separated irom the bobbin next to be supplied to a winding unit, a detector responsive to absence of bobbins in said reserve position, and means responsive to detection of such absence of bobbins by the detector for de-energizing the adapted to supply bobbins to the several winding units, to be wound thereon, the bobbin supplying mechanism including a portion traversed by the bobbins one at a time in the course of being supplied to the winding units, a detector responsive to failure of a bobbin to complete its passage through said portion of the bobbin supplying mechanism, and means responsive to detection of said bobbin by the detector for preventing the discharge of bobbins from their winding positions in the several winding units.

38. A winding machine having therein a plurality of winding units each adapted to hold a bobbin in position to,wind thereon, and means for discharging bobbins from their winding position in the unit, a bobbin supplying mechanism adapted to supply bobbins to the several winding units, to be wound thereon, the bobbin supplying mechanism including a portion adapted to hold bobbins in a reserve position separated from the bobbin next to be supplied to a winding unit, a detector responsive to absence of bobbins in said reserve position, and means responsive to detection of such absence of bobbins by the detector anism. means yield-ingly urging the winding mechanism toward a. normal position with relation to a portion of the said conveyor structure,

tlvely' to the said portion of the conveyor structure so as to permit momentary continued travel of the conveyor structure notwithstanding interference between the winding mechanism and the winder-tending mechanism, and means actuable in response-to such movement of said windin mechanism to stop said conveyor structure.

40. .A winding machine comprising traveling conveyor structure and winding mechanism associated with the conveyor structure so as to be caused to travel around the machine, frame structure and winder-tending mechanism associated with the frame structure so that the winding mechanism passes the winder-tending mechanism, means yieldingly urging the winder-tend-= ring mechanism toward a normal position with relation to a portion of the said frame structure, the said winder-tending mechanism being movable relatively to the said portion of the frame structure so as to permit momentary continued travel of the conveyor 'structure'notwithstanding interference between the winding mechanism and the winder-tending mechanism, and means actuable in response to such movement of said winder-tending mechanism to stop said conveyor structure.

41. A winding machine comprising traveling conveyor structure and winding mechanism associated with the conveyor structure so as to be caused to travel around the machine, frame structure and winder-tending mechanism associated with the frame structure so that the being movable relatively to a portion of the structure with which it is thus associated to permit momentary continued travel of the conveyor structure notwithstanding interference between the winding mechanism and the winder-tending mechanism, and means actuable in response to such movement of said yieldingly-urged mechanism to stop said conveyor structure.

the said winding mechanism being movable rela- EDWARD J. ABBOTT. WINTHROP L. PERRY. JOSEPH E. RING. 

